Illustration for Canto II c. 16th century

Curator: The image, *Illustration for Canto II* by Antonio Tempesta, appears to be an etching. The density of the lines and the way they define form are truly fascinating. What's your initial reaction? Editor: It's incredibly detailed, almost dizzying! All those figures... I’m curious about the production of prints like this in the 16th century. What can you tell me about Tempesta's process? Curator: Consider the labor. Etchings like this would have involved skilled artisans, not just Tempesta. The copper plate, the biting process with acid, the printing itself... it was a collaborative effort and a commercial enterprise. The availability of such prints also reflects the social and economic conditions of the time. Editor: So it's not just about Tempesta's artistic vision, but the entire system of production? Curator: Exactly! It challenges the notion of the solitary genius. Thinking about the materiality shifts our focus from individual authorship to the collective labor embedded within the artwork. A different perspective, wouldn't you say? Editor: I never thought about art quite this way before. It's eye-opening!